uxellian. And it has something HARD in it--a lump of
something. I've been feeling it through the envelope, and can't think
what it is.'

'What does Luxellian write for, I wonder?' Mr. Swancourt had said
simultaneously with her words. He handed Stephen his letter, and took
his own, putting on his countenance a higher class of look than was
customary, as became a poor gentleman who was going to read a letter
from a peer.

Stephen read his missive with a countenance quite the reverse of the
vicar's.

'PERCY PLACE, Thursday Evening.
'DEAR SMITH,--Old H. is in a towering rage with you for being so long
about the church sketches. Swears you are more trouble than you are
worth. He says I am to write and say you are to stay no longer on
any consideration--that he would have done it all in three hours very
easily. I told him that you were not like an experienced hand, which he
seemed to forget, but it did not make much difference. However, between
you and me privately, if I were you I would not alarm myself for a day
or so, if I were not inclined to return. I would make out the week and
finish my spree. He will blow up just as much if you appear here on
Saturday as if you keep away till Monday morning.--Yours very truly,

'SIMPKINS JENKINS.

'Dear me--very awkward!' said Stephen, rather en l'air, and confused
with the kind of confusion that assails an understrapper when he has
been enlarged by accident to the dimensions of a superior, and is
somewhat rudely pared down to his original size.

'What is awkward?' said Miss Swancourt.

Smith by this time recovered his equanimity, and with it the
professional dignity of an experienced architect.

'Important business demands my immediate presence in London, I regret to
say,' he replied.

'What! Must you go at once?' said Mr. Swancourt, looking over the edge
of his letter. 'Important business? A young fellow like you to have
important business!'

'The truth is,' said Stephen blushing, and rather ashamed of having
pretended even so slightly to a consequence which did not belong to
him,--'the truth is, Mr. Hewby has sent to say I am to come home; and I
must obey him.'

'I see; I see. It is politic to do so, you mean. Now I can see more than
you think. You are to be his partner. I booked you for that directly
I read his letter to me the other day, and the way he spoke of you. He
thinks a great deal of you, Mr. Smith, or he wouldn't be so anxious for
y